vlad.tribnet.com / Issue #148 / Business / Reading article...

Exxon gives tiger money

Exxon Corporation recently gave environmental authorities $90,000 to help protect tigers in Primorye, the company announced.

The funds will pay for patrol vehicles to enforce anti-poaching laws in the region. The money was given to Operation Amba, a Siberian Tiger preservation program founded in 1994 by the Krai Committee for Environmental Protection and Natural Resources. The program is credited with improving the fate of the tiger with anti-poaching efforts and scientific research.

An estimated 500 Siberian Tigers still exist in the wild, with 85 percent in Prmorsky Krai. Exxon's Save the Tiger Fund, associated with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Exxon has given more than $5 million worldwide in the last five years to save the critically endangered species.

Got some old socks? JSC might be interested

JSC Primorsknabkontrakt recently announced that it will buy second-hand clothes for the manufacture of insulation. The company will pay 650 rubles (11 cents) per kilo.

Primorye wants a share of Sakhalin construction

Directors of major Primorye construction companies met with Vice Governor Igor Belchuk Aug. 14 about possible participation in the Sakhalin 1 project. Over 40 krai businesses are competing for service and transport contracts.

Sakhalin swimming in salmon, too

This year's salmon fishing season has begun along the Sakhalin Oblast coast. On July 20, 870 tons of salmon were harvested, and the next day fishermen brought in more than 1,000 tons. Officials expect that this year's Kuril and Sakhalin catches will total 114,000 tons of fish.

Blackouts sour profits

Primorsky Konditer made profits of 48 billion rubles ($8 million) for the first half of 1997, down from last year's earnings at this point. Konditer officials said they were unable to produce sweets in May because of power cuts from Vladivostok Power Station No. 1.

Catch bails out company

The JSC Nakhodka Fishing Company recovered a 10 billion ruble loss from the first quarter thanks to a large catch this spring. Still, the company has yet to see profits because fuel prices are rising, said General Director Anatoly Kolesnichenko.